Project Description
Djangophonique is a musical project born out of reverence for the Parisian Jazz Manouche style that was made popular by the legendary Sinti guitarist Django Reinhardt and his Quintette du Hot Club de France. While remaining steeped in the rich and virtuosic tradition, the group brings this music into the present with stunning improv, spontaneity and musical interaction. Hot swing, lush ballads, musette waltzes, jazz standards, boleros, and moody minor pieces are all fused together with theatrical flair and musical humor.
Born in a sandstone Victorian farmhouse that has been in his family since it was built four generations ago, Andrew Brown is the son of a Motown session musician and grew up listening to the sounds of his dad’s piano as he steeped in musical influences from Duke Ellington to Stevie Wonder. As a young man returning from a trip to New Orleans with a newfound interest in Swing music, he co-founded the eclectic americana group Appleseed Collective, with whom he has toured 150+ dates a year. Traveling all over the continental United States, playing esteemed venues and festivals such as The Ark, Sisters Folk Festival, Wheatland, Cervantes Ballroom, Summercamp Music Festival, Schuba’s, and The Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium, he cut his teeth as a guitarist, songwriter and band leader. He has shared stages with Bela Fleck, Jacob Jolif Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Ingrid Michaelson, Neko Case, Greensky Bluegrass and more.
Since slowing down his touring schedule in 2017 he began tirelessly practicing and performing the music of his favorite guitar player: Django Reinhardt. Since then he has studied at various music camps with many of the genres heavy hitting players such as Angelo Debarre, Sebastian Gineaux, and Gonzalo Bergara, and was even invited to back up Denis Chang at one of his concerts. Andrew currently plays throughout Michigan with his own project Djangophonique, his band Appleseed Collective, and his friends projects Third Coast Gypsy Jazz, Smoking Dandies. He also teaches guitar, both generally and specifically in the style of Django.
Andrew has acted as booking agent, promoter, publicist, band leader, musical director, song writer, tour manager, and basically every hat one can wear in a musical ensemble. Outside of music he has worked for an advertising agency, a vintage clothing store, a butcher, and custom software company. He has a passion for bringing joy to people through music, creating a connection with an audience, and teaching music.